The Issue of the Young Man Threatening Suicide from a Bridge Has Been Resolved: Batoian

The Minister of Labour and Social Issues of Armenia, Zaruhi Batoian, shared details on her Facebook page regarding a citizen who attempted suicide yesterday evening from a bridge. She reported that the man had been at the 'Gavar Orphanage' State Non-Profit Organization for six years, after which he left the orphanage in 2012 (at the age of 10) and moved to a special educational institution in Yerevan.

He is not included in the list of graduates recognized as beneficiaries of child care organizations stipulated by the Armenian government's decision No. 1419-N of October 30, 2003, because he is not a graduate of the orphanage.

“Since 2019, we have received at least five reports regarding his suicide attempts by jumping off the bridge. After the first report, I personally met with the citizen and informed him that we would find a possible solution to help him. I provided him with my mobile number and also asked him not to refuse assistance from social-psychological services,” Batoian wrote.

“In accordance with my instructions, he was given a six-month housing opportunity at the 'Veteran' shelter, which has been extended for another six months until September 1, 2020. To provide a final solution to the problem, his details have been included in the amendments made to the government decision No. 795-N dated May 21, 2020, as a resident of 3/14 Tbilisi Highway.”

“After the decision was adopted, he was offered to sign a residence and social services provision contract for a period of 10 years. However, he refused to sign the contract, demanding a certificate for the purchase of an apartment.”

“Currently, the ministry is discussing a draft governmental decision, under which, as an exception, certificates for the purchase of apartments will be granted to several orphanage alumni, including the aforementioned citizen, who were previously denied such certificates.”

“I must emphasize that the citizen, who has become the hero of publications in various media, is in constant contact not only with the ministry but also with the assistants of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. The information that government members have deceived him and have not supported him in housing or apartment issues is not true,” Batoian added.

It should be noted that several media outlets provided live coverage of the man’s suicide attempt, which was ultimately prevented.